With one of the largest optics fleets in the industry, the vortex has established itself as a giant producing a variety of scopes and red dot sights alike. One of such red dot sights is the vortex viper.
This small and lightweight red dot sight comes with amazing features to make it ideal for precision shooting instruments. And it is also a sight that allows quick adjustments to be made. Unfortunately, many people are not as conversant with red dots as they are with scopes and, as such, do not know what the vortex viper can do.
Earlier, sights for handguns were hard to come by. But manufacturers now have ramped up production for handgun-specific sights like the vortex viper. Even though it was made specifically for handgun use, it can work easily on several other weapons.
Being low profile and low price point, the current model has attracted a lot of shotgun owners, and we’d like to see why. To see the features that have endeared them to so many.
Table of Contents
Features of Vortex Viper Red Dot
As we mentioned earlier, the vortex viper sight comes with many features that determine the type of performance you’ll get from it. So, we aim to scrutinize the features and see how it affects our shooting and overall sight usage.
#1. Magnification
The magnification of the vortex viper is similar to all red dot sights meaning it has no magnification. However, its 1x magnification proves that it is enabled for short-range shooting. Meanwhile, you can improve the magnification power by adding a magnifier to your setup. This would improve the power and the distance you can aim.
#2. Objective Lens
The objective lens diameter for this sight is 24 mm. The size of an objective lens is always related to the magnification and distance it can aim. For the vortex viper with 1x magnification and short-range aiming capabilities, an objective lens size of 24mm is superb.
The amount of light entering the scope at the highest aiming distance would light up the image and ensure you get crisp images when you look through the scope.
Also Read: Best Handgun Scope for The Money {Top 8 Reviews}
#3. Optics
Another related feature to the others already mentioned here is the sight’s optics. For you to enjoy crisp images, the sight’s optics have to be of the right quality. The vortex viper red dot sight utilizes quality optics across the sight to ensure good images. The glasses are fully multi-coated with multiple anti-glare layers to reduce light reflections and improve light transmission through the lens. The coatings also protect the glass from scratches, dust, and dirt.
#4. Adjustments
The vortex viper comes with windage and elevation adjustment knobs that allow you to adjust the horizontal and vertical distance till you zero your sight. It is set at 1 MOA per click, and there are a total of 120 MOA available. This MOA makes it possible for you to make quick adjustments and zero in your sight.
It comes with a tool you can use to adjust both elevation and windage. The elevation and windage knobs are located at the top of the sight so that you can reach them easily. You can differentiate the elevation and windage knobs from each other by their markings. For example, the windage dial is marked “R”, which stands for right, while the elevation dial is marked “UP”. You’ll also find the locking feature that prevents unintended adjustments.
Red dot sights typically have a tiny parallax which is usually negligible.
#5. Durability
No matter how good a sight is, you cannot enjoy it without a durable build. It is a single-piece material that increases its durability. Vortex Viper is made to withstand recoil and accidental impacts against hard surfaces. It has a hard anodized matte finish with Armor Tek coated lenses to improve durability and prevent scratches.
The red dot sight is O-ring sealed to keep water and dust from entering inside, thereby making it waterproof. The lenses are also anti-fog to prevent fog from forming on them and obstructing your view. With this, you can use the sight all year round in any weather without running into issues.
Also Read: Best Long Range Rifle Scopes – Our Top 7 Choice
#6. Battery
A strong and easy-to-grab battery is vital to keep the red dot sight running. This is why vortex viper uses the CR2032 battery with an incredible use time of up to 150 hours at the highest setting. It gets even better when you use the sight at lower settings to get up to 30,000 hours. In addition, there’s a 14-hour auto-shutdown feature to maximize battery life that puts off the sight while not in use for 14 hours.
However, the battery location is quite inconvenient as it is located under the sight. This means you have to unmount before assessing the battery.
#7. Mounting System
You need a mounting system to lock the sight firmly to the gun. You can use the popular Picatinny or Weaver mounting rails. There’s also a low rail mount installed at the button for a tight fit with all the necessary screws.
The sight can’t be mounted lowly on your gun and even on sidearms with cutout slides without obstructing the traditional iron sights, if any. But, on the other hand, it is so easy mounting this red dot sight unto your weapon as long as you already have your rails held tightly.
#8. Range
Vortex Viper red dot sight does not have any magnification. As such, its effect is only valid for naked eye distances. Improved accuracy and clear pictures will only work around the range of the normal eye.
The ideal range of the vortex viper sight is 100 yards or less. However, you should remember that this range depends on the type of weapon and the caliber of bullet you’re using. Some bullets and weapons support a higher distance shooting, while others will only be effective at close range.
#9. Size
Vortex Viper red dot sight is a small, lightweight, and low-profile sight. The low profile allows it to fit on handguns with cutout slides. In contrast, its low height enables it co-witness with traditional iron sights. Its measurements are 1.8×1.81×1.02 inches.
This compact sight weighs only 1.1 ounces and will feel extremely light even when attached to a small handgun. You can also pack this in your backpack without experiencing a heavy increase in weight.
#10. Accessories
Vortex Viper red dot sight comes with many other accessories to make your shooting more effective. It comes with Picatinny / weaver mount, a protective cover to cover the lens when not in use, and a flat head wrench and a lens cloth for cleaning the lens.
It also comes with one CR2032 battery to power the sight and a T-10 Torx wrench.
#11. Eye Relief
Like all red dot sights, the vortex viper has an unlimited eye relief that enables you to see through the sight no matter the angle you place your head.
#12. Price
A new vortex viper red dot sight is around $250. The cost is a bargain considering the price of other similar red dots.
Also Read: Best 3-Gun Scopes Review [Tested Performance]
Pros and Cons for Vortex Viper Red Dot Sight
Vortex Viper has a lot of advantages that have made it popular as well as drawbacks you should be wary of if you’re considering this red dot sight. We’ll be looking at each of them so you can make a better decision.
Pros
- Fantastic optical performance
- Durable, shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof sight
- Easy to use the illumination toggle switch
- Long-lasting battery with auto shutdown
- Easy to mount
- Lockable elevation and windage adjustment screws
- Compact and lightweight
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- VIP unconditional lifetime warranty
Cons
- The battery is located under the sight, which makes it difficult to access
- No carry case
- Tool needed to adjust windage and elevation
Conclusion
Vortex Viper red dot sight is a compact, lightweight sight with incredible features like fast mounting and excellent optics that’ll make your shooting enjoyable and effective. This sight focuses on producing excellent images at short ranges and for handguns. Nevertheless, it is only modeled for rifles due to its build.
